Energy costs are on the rise and are unlikely to drop anytime soon. Along with shopping the market to find the best energy deals, implementing energy efficiencies is one of the most cost-effective ways to achieve long-term savings.

Effective energy monitoring enables you to reduce costs through:

Understanding your energy consumption

Identifying waste

Targeting inefficiencies

If the thought of taking meter readings, analysing complex invoices, comparing confusing quotes and validating energy bills instils a sense of dread, fear not! In this technological day and age, energy management is made far more simple and streamlined through dedicated software that does the legwork for you.

Did you know?

The more efficient a building is, the better its occupancy rates and asset value.

Energy management systems are an essential component of an energy management strategy. Having this system in place allows you to see how much water, gas and electricity is being consumed. Regular reporting on these statistics will help you track your energy usage patterns and inform decision-making.

Why are energy management systems important?

1. Save money

No matter the size of your business, wasting energy means wasting money. According to calculations by Carbon Trust:

Every £1 saved on energy = £10 worth of sales to generate the same £1 of profit.

This means that if your business is wasting £1,000 due to poor energy management, you would need to make £10,000 in sales to earn the equivalent £1,000 in profit.

In addition to the money saved on your actual energy bill, your business may also be eligible for policy-related deductions if you are shown to be taking steps to use energy more efficiently, such as reduced Climate Change Levy (CCL) fees.

2. Help the environment

3. Enhances your business’ reputation

It’s increasingly important to demonstrate to customers and shareholders that your company is environmentally responsible. Creating a greener business helps the environment and provides you with a competitive edge.

Energy management systems and energy monitoring software

Making use of smart energy management tools and software is an essential enabler of efficient energy management.

There are a number of applications on the market, but many of these can prove cost-prohibitive. As a first step, check with your energy broker or supplier whether they have proprietary energy data management software to offer.

How to achieve Carbon Trust Standard:

Energy monitoring tools from Smarter Business

Smarter Business offers two proprietary energy data platforms exclusively for its clients.

Dataview

What is Dataview?

Dataview is a dynamic, online energy measurement platform using smart meters connected to the Internet of Things. Through automated reporting and energy analysis, Dataview gives your business insight into how and when you use your energy so that you can easily identify cost-saving opportunities.

Dataview features

Instant access to half-hourly data

Instant reporting on consumption and demand

Portfolio view of capacity

Free monthly reports

Energy validation reporting

Customised reporting

What can Dataview measure?

Dataview can measure all your energy sources:

Electricity

Gas

Natural gas and LPG

Oil

Renewables – solar energy, wind power

Water consumption

Environmental impact

The benefits of Dataview

Access accurate energy consumption and cost data

Monitor your usage and portfolio

Identify energy cost-saving opportunities

Effective energy management

Improve your profitability and competitiveness

Where can Dataview measure?

Dataview can measure ‘everywhere’:

Applied on multiple sites

With multiple energy sources

Sub-metering can enable you to measure different activities on a site, such as manufacturing, plant, office, sales operations.

Dataview can provide numerous reports

League tables

Usage targets

Site-by-site comparisons

Time of day operational demands

The Dataview platform is customised to suit your business to help you identify where you can make the most significant energy savings.

With all your energy data gathered into one set of online reports, your energy data is presented in the form that suits you with appealing visuals make your data easy to understand.

Dataview is free with Smarter Business’ energy management service.

Openview

What is Openview?

Exclusive to Smarter Business customers who consume over 200,000kWh per year, Openview is the most advanced energy management platform in the marketplace, giving you complete control over your energy contracts and site portfolio. The platform enables you to see a breakdown of all commercial energy costs for current and future contracts on a daily basis. This empowers you to take advantage of favourable conditions in the energy markets and save money on energy procurement.

Openview features

Openview is the only platform to allow all supplier participants to view each other’s bids. This provides much greater competition and results in the best price outcome aligned with your business needs.

The most advanced energy management platform in the marketplace.

Transparent and accurate assessment of tenders from over 20 suppliers.

Cost forecasting for up to 5 years (including past the contract end date, and accurate NNC forecasts).

Invoice validation to ensure the accuracy of suppliers’ billing, together with a query resolution service.

Simplifies the management of all your sites, meters, consumption and utility contracts.

The ability to break down your usage by department or site enables you to identify points of high or unusual consumption, which in turn helps drive efficiency opportunities.

Driving prices down – Openview is the only platform that allows suppliers to view each other’s bids and re-submit their contract prices. The result is much greater competition, which means that your business gets the best price outcome aligned with your needs.

Set benchmarks and cost targets for future budget and purchasing requirements.

Why partner with Smarter Business?

Smarter Business is already helping thousands of companies manage, monitor and save on their energy. We’d like to have the opportunity to discuss your unique requirements. For any more information on our services or for a demonstration of our exclusive energy management systems, please email: info@smarterbusiness.co.uk or call 01444 220060.